Save-the-Dog Mission: Accomplished!

-- Hooman Momma

Imagine your leg getting caught in a trap meant to kill wild boars.  You are in the forest, and you are helpless.  Six days later, you were able to free yourself from the trap -- at the expense of your foot.  Your flesh is cut, your bones exposed, and you have to hike down from the mountains.  Worse, you don't get any medical treatment for two weeks.  Unimaginable pain, yes?

Well, this is the story of Manny (despite being a female dog, she was named as such after Manny Pacquiao), the dog that I met at the jump-off point of Mt. Pico de Loro last weekend.  I wrote about her a few days ago.

As soon as I saw her, I was touched by her story, and how she has tried to live and enjoy her life for two weeks despite her injury.  She limps her way to greet the hikers who register at the base, nudging their packs as if to ask for some treats.  Or a pat on the head.  I saw in her the will to fight for her life, despite suffering from a painful injury.

I swore to myself that I will do my best to help her.  Luckily, the angelic vets of my cats expressed their willingness to help when I told them Manny's story -- Dr. Riza Zunio, Dr. Melay Pelayo, Dr. Alison Saile and Dr. Dan Hiceta.  And so we decided to spend a whole day just to help her.

When we got to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) compound where Manny lives, we were surprised not to see her there.  Thinking that something bad happened, I asked the caretaker where she is.  Who would believe that this injured, limping dog joined a group of hikers the day before to spend the night in the mountains?!  You gotta admire this girl's passion to enjoy life!

When Manny finally arrived with the hikers, Dr. Riza started to work on her.  But this dog has so much energy, he led the vets to the mountains because he didn't want to receive an anesthesia injection!  After about 15 minutes of chasing him, he finally gave in.  For about 30 minutes, the vets worked to fix her leg.

Chasing Manny in the mountain

Sedating Manny

Flushing/cleaning the wound

Dr. Riza (seated), Dr. Dan (red shirt), Dr. Ali (left, standing) and Dr. Melay (right, standing) working on Manny

Bandaging Manny's leg

DONE!

And while we were there, the vets also spayed their two cats, with the permission of the caretaker.

Contented kitteh frolicking in her sunbeam.  We originally thought that she is pregnant, but upon checking her, we found out that she is just...fat :)

Mother & Daughter -- they both got spayed!

Working on Momma cat 

Daughter cat 

We decided not to take Manny with us anymore, even if a friend already volunteered to adopt her.  We saw how happy she is being close to the mountains, and we didn't want to take that away from her.  Manny and the other animals are actually well cared for and loved by the caretakers.  It was just unfortunate that this accident happened to Manny, and the caretakers don't have the knowledge nor the resources to treat her.

Manny starting to wake up.

Mother & Daugther -- SPAYED!

From left:  Dr. Melay, myself, Dr. Ali, Dr. Dan with the spayed cats

From left:  Dr. Melay, Dr. Riza with Manny, Dr. Ali, myself

If you are planning to climb Mt. Pico de Loro, please make sure to bring some treats for Manny!  Who knows, maybe she'll even hike with you if you give her nice things :)